Perhaps you have some jewelry you want to get appraised or have already gotten appraised. How do you know you’re getting a fair deal on what your piece of jewelry is really worth? Guida Jewelers experts want to identify some characteristics about jewelry that will affect its value, so that you can gain a better understanding of what to consider when getting jewelry appraised.
Factors That Affect the Value of Jewelry
Material
Obviously, a 24k gold ring is most likely to be more valuable than, say, a wooden bracelet. The material that makes up the piece of jewelry will have an impact on the value of your piece of jewelry, but other characteristics (noted below) will also come into play when getting something appraised.
Weight of the Precious Metal
If the piece of jewelry is made of metal, such as gold or silver, the weight of this metal will play an important role in how much the jewelry is worth. The more the metal weighs, the more likely it is to be more valuable; however, also remember most jewelry includes metal alloys mixed in, so you’ll also need to consider the purity of the metal (ex: 24KT is more valuable than 14KT gold).
Gemstone or Diamond
The weight of the gemstone or diamond will play a major role in how much a piece of jewelry is worth. In addition, whether the gemstone is natural, treated or otherwise unnatural, that will also affect its value. Consider getting your gemstone appraised and getting a jewelry identification report along with it.
Style & Design
Outdated styles and designs may not be as valuable as more modern styles – or vice versa! If the style is vintage, but popular in today’s jewelry, then you might be able to get more value than some modern styles.
Condition
This factor is likely one of the easiest characteristics for you to determine on your own – and one that you have the most control over. If jewelry is damaged, discolored, worn, or otherwise “unlike new,” the value of the jewelry is going to be less than a piece of jewelry in better condition.
Helpful Hint: A piece of jewelry that is stored properly will likely be in better condition than a piece of jewelry stored improperly. Ask your jeweler’s advice on proper care of your valuables!
Authenticity
The presence of a certificate of authenticity is a very helpful document to store with a piece of jewelry. Appraisers can consider the proof of authenticity when calculating the piece’s value. You may also consider getting your jewelry independently appraised, and requesting a jewelry identification report that indicates the jewelry’s worth.
Uniqueness
If your jewelry has a special history (from a certain famous time period, owned by a famous person, etc.) or if it has a unique quality about it, then it may carry a higher value than a regular piece of jewelry. Likewise, if the jewelry is engraved or otherwise customized, it may affect the value more or less.
Considering the Appraisal Value
Consider, first, the intrinsic value of the jewelry, which is the value of the gemstone and metal combined. This is a plain and simple number based on nothing but the materials that comprise the jewelry’s construction.
Secondly, consider that there is a difference between a piece of jewelry’s appraised value and what you can actually receive for it when attempting to resell it. Appraisal values are almost always higher than what you will actually be able to command when you resell your jewelry. The reason appraisal values are higher than the jewelry’s actual market value is for insurance purposes.
If you desire to sell your jewelry, brace yourself for the news that you’ll likely sell it for a price slightly lower than what it was appraised for. The intrinsic value and the appraisal value will give you a better average estimate of how much your jewelry is worth.
Where to Sell Your Jewelry
Once you have a solid idea of how much your jewelry is worth and how much to sell it for, you can resell your jewelry on sites like eBay and DiamondBistro.com.
We’ve hoped this has helped you with your jewelry appraisal and reselling process! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
For a professional jewelry appraisal, come visit us in our showroom conveniently located in Denville, NJ.
Recent Comments